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Establishing whether a student has made previous suicide attempts or
experienced previous episodes of mental distress can help you to decide
on the best course of action if you think they might need a swift
intervention.

Someone is in immediate danger

In situations where someone is in immediate danger, most universities
instruct staff to alert the institution’s security service. Some also
have mental health advisers who can be called upon in an emergency and GP
surgeries on campus often have provision to see students in crisis
quickly. Staff need to be aware of their institution’s policy on
responding to emergencies.

There is no immediate threat to life, but someone is
displaying the signs of disturbance and disorientation

Where there is no immediate threat to life, but someone is displaying
the signs of disturbance and disorientation, advice should be sought
about appropriate referral points within the university and/or the NHS.
This can be done without breaching the student’s confidentiality if they
are reluctant to give you permission by contacting the university’s
counselling service, mental health adviser or health centre and having an
exploratory conversation without divulging the student’s name.